Spanish wine history

Viticulture has been a part of Spain for centuries, at least since Phoenicians founded Cadiz and established it as a trading post, around 1100bc. A thousand years later, it took nearly two centuries after the Romans first invaded for the Peninsula to become part of the Roman Empire, who named it Hispania. With the Romans came the first period of growth for the export of wines across the Mediterranean, under Roman rule it became a golden age for Spanish wine. The two main production areas were near Barcelona in the north and Andalusia in the south. After the decline of the Roman Empire, around 450ad, the barbaric tribes from the north of Europe invaded the Peninsula. Things picked up again when the Moors arrived, a period of nearly 800 years when Africa controlled many parts of southern Spain. Even though the Quranic Muslim laws forbids them from drinking any kind of alcohol, wine culture improved in the Peninsula during their stay, especially because many never prevented Christians from producing their own wines. In fact, the Muslims liked to eat the grapes that grew on the vines, and it was also quite common to dry them out and consume them as raisins. The Middle Ages brought Christianity and monks from different orders from all over the world to Spain. They played a very important role in the establishment of the better places to produce wine. In fact, many of the current DOs had their origin around this time, because the appearance of a village around the monasteries was normal, and with time many turned into wine cellars and wineries. The monks also brought new types of vine (different from the original Spanish vines) and new wine making techniques. The Moors being finally defeated in 1492 also reopened the wine exportation business and the city of Bilbao positioned itself at the head of it. Most of the wines sold at this time went to the English markets, where they were as highly valued as French wines. Around the same time, Christopher Columbus claimed the Americas as Spanish and global trade expansion began for Spain. The Spanish armies took vines with them in order to start wine production in the new Spanish colonies. By this time Spanish wines had reached such fame that some of the biggest wine producing cities, like Cadiz, were being attacked for their wine. Also, wine production in the colonies was so common that it started to affect Spanish exportation, which is why King Philip III banned the expansion of vineyards in Chile, a decree that was mostly ignored.  Wine making in Spain improved with Rioja leading the way in the 19th century by copying the wines of Bordeaux.

Wine was now fermented and aged in barrel but war with France meant importing oak barrels from America, a tradition that still exists today. This new period of growth didn’t last, however, as Phylloxera arrived in Rioja from France over the Pyrenees Mountains in 1901. The vineyards soon recovered as grafting was already beating the louse meaning vineyards across Europe were replanted. Further setbacks happened with the outbreak of the First World War, but soon after winemaking moved forwards with the creation of the first Denominación de Origen (DO) in 1926. Unfortunately, within a decade, Spain ended up in civil war after an army General called Franco seized power. World War Two followed soon after with Spain remaining under the brutal rule of Franco until the 1960’s. Spain eventually recovered but still has a reputation for inexpensive wines that are of low quality. The 1986 acceptance of Spain into the European Union brought economic aid to the rural wine industries of Galicia and La Mancha. The 1990s saw the influence of flying winemakers from abroad and broader acceptance of the use of international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. In 1996, the restrictions on irrigation were lifted which gave winemakers greater control over yields and what areas could be planted. Soon the quality and production volume of premium wines began to overtake the presence of generic Spanish bulk wines on the market and Spain’s reputation entering the 21st century was that of a serious wine producing country that could compete with other producers in the world wine market.